Cootamundra Wattle ~ Ode to July

Although the weather forecast for tomorrow is wintery, the last few days have been almost like spring; and the wattle, that is probably last to come out here, has a lovely perfume.

I have a photo in my album. When I think of wattle, I remember the photo. I had a lovely day with my cousin while I still lived on the farm as a girl, early teen I think. We had been on a big bike ride, and had stopped in front of a wattle. I imagine we picked some, the balls are nice and fluffy and I remember the tree was very large and fragrant. The sun was shining and it was a very happy memory.

Cootamundra Wattle
Lyrics & Music by John Williamson

Don't go lookin' through that old camphor box woman,
You know those old things only make you cry.
When you dream upon that little bunny rug
It makes you think that life has passed you by
There are days when you wish the world would stop woman,
But then you know some wounds would never heal
But when I browse the early pages of the children
It's then I know exactly how you feel.

Hey it's July and the winter sun is shining
And the Cootamundra wattle is my friend
For all at once my childhood never left me
'Cause wattle blossoms bring it back again

It's Sunday and you should stop the worry woman,
Come out here and sit down in the sun
Can't you hear the magpies in the distance?
Don't you feel the new day has begun?
Can't you hear the bees making honey woman,
In the spotted gums where the bellbirds ring?
You might grow old and bitter cause you missed it,
You know some people never hear such things

Chorus

Don't buy the daily papers any more woman,
Read all about what's going on in hell.
They don't care to tell the world of kindness,
Good news never made a paper sell.
There's all the colours of the rainbow in the garden woman,
And symphonies of music in the sky.
Heaven's all around us if you're looking,
But how can you see it if you cry.

Hey it's July and the winter sun is shining
And the Cootamundra wattle is my friend
For all at once my childhood never left me
'Cause wattle blossoms bring it back again.

I have another memory of the sap, we loved to play with that as well.

It is not quite out yet, but I could smell it!